The EMCDDA will be joined by a range of its external partners today in a virtual event following on from International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking (26 June). The meeting is a symbolic gathering of representatives of the European Commission, the Permanent Missions representing the partner countries in Brussels, the Delegations of the European Union in these countries and the partner countries’ national correspondents.
Reflecting the theme for this year’s international day — ‘Better knowledge for better care’ — EMCDDA Director Alexis Goosdeel will deliver a keynote speech on lessons learned regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the drug situation in Europe.
Mr Goosdeel spoke on this subject at a special event of the United Nations’ Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) on 26 June, which included regional perspectives on the impact of the pandemic on the world drug situation. Mr Goosdeel’s presentation today will be followed by a reflection by a German external expert and a Q&A session.
The EMCDDA has a long history of cooperating with external partners through the signing of Working Arrangements or Memoranda of Understanding as well as through EU-funded technical cooperation projects, implemented by the agency since 1999. Currently, the EMCDDA cooperates with the Western Balkans through the IPA 7 project. This aims to set up and support national drug observatories and increase the evidence base on the drug situation in the region through stronger drug monitoring systems and the exchange of best practice.
Regarding the European neighbouring countries, the EMCDDA established the EU4Monitoring Drugs project (EU4MD) in 2019, which makes a link between drug-related problems and security and health threats in the European Union and its neighbourhood countries.
